Ondrej Holzman When the new 2009-inch iMac came out in 27, one of the new features was Target Display Mode, which allowed the iMac to be used as an external monitor. However, Target Display Mode has undergone several changes during its existence. Let's see how this function can be used now.
The functionality as such has of course been preserved, so it is still possible to connect one of the MacBooks to the iMac (now not just the 27-inch one) and use it as an external monitor, while the running system moves to the background on the iMac. However, the compatibility of devices and connectors, brought last year by iMacs with Thunderbolt ports, has changed.
You now need to press a hotkey to switch your iMac to external monitor mode Cmd+F2, the computer will no longer turn on automatically. If you are in Target Display Mode, only the brightness, volume and CMD + F2 keys will work on the iMac keyboard. USB and FireWire ports and other accessories outside the keyboard will also be deactivated.
But much more important is what computers you can connect together to make Target Display Mode work. If you own an iMac with a Thunderbolt port, you only connect a Mac with Thunderbolt to it in Target Display Mod. On the other hand, only a Mac with DisplayPort will work with an iMac with DisplayPort, in addition, you need to use a DisplayPort cable. With a Thunderbolt cable, you will only succeed when connecting two machines with this interface.
So the result is simple: Target Display Mode works either with a Thunderbolt-Thunderbolt or DisplayPort-DisplayPort connection.
Source: blog.MacSales.com
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I once used a Th/Th cable to connect an MBA and an iMac. It all works great. I just don't want to drag that two-meter cable around the room, be on it with the MBA tied to the iMac and sit on a chair at the table with all this. So the cable waits until some other opportunity is found for it.